Myth Busting
FALSE.
When you’re sick or hurt – the last thing you want to do is wait.
Having private health insurance means you:
- Are protected against high costs of care.
- Don’t have to wait for hospital procedures.
- Can tailor your extras to your lifestyle, meaning you are covered for the services you need most.
I’m young and healthy – I don’t need private health insurance
FALSE.
Unfortunately, ill-health or accidents can strike at any time regardless of age.
Young people with basic health cover are protected from high costs of care – and can choose the healthcare provider and timing of the procedure themselves.
If I did have private health insurance, I would have to pay extra out-of-pocket costs, which I can’t afford
FALSE.
- Consumers can very easily sign up to ‘no gap’ and no excess cover – meaning they are covered for services by specialists who have agreed not to charge any extra
- Out-of-pocket costs occur when hospitals or specialists who don’t have an agreement with your provider, charge you excess costs
Consumers should always check with specialists about any out-of-pocket costs they might incur.
I can get exactly the same healthcare if I use the public hospital system
FALSE.
In 2018-19, the median waiting time for elective surgery was 24 days for private health insurance-funded patients, compared to 44 days for public patients (Reference: AIHW report).
- Private health insurance allows you to choose your healthcare provider
- The timing of your procedure
- Be treated by a fully-trained specialist throughout your treatment
It’s not my responsibility to take out private health insurance to prop up the public health system
FALSE.
- Private health insurance is voluntary, but all Australians benefit when the private health sector works well.
- Private health insurance takes pressure off public hospitals.
Private health insurance is for the rich
FALSE.
Half of all Australians who have PHI have disposable incomes under $50,000 a year.